North Carolina solar 101: must read before you buy solar panels

Last updated 12.02.21

North Carolina State 54 solar panels available

  • $2.12 / W Average gross price of a solar power system as of May 2023
  • 9 years Average system payback period
  • $51 069 Average savings from going solar in North Carolina
  • 7 ¢ / kWh Levelized cost of solar energy
  • 6.52 kW Recommended system size

Benefit from a PV system
in North Carolina

Solar panels in North Carolina

North Carolina #19 in the US
Solar Ranking

What our happy customers say

I was in need of new solar panels and found A1 SolarStore while surfing the web. I ordered 13 pieces of REC 360W solar panels at a fairly reasonable price, and also ordered their liftgate service at checkout. everything was very easy and intuitive. I highly recommend A1 SolarStore!
Jesse Tang
Via Google
May 22, 2023
I recently purchased 10 pieces of Q CELLS 480W Solar Panels from A1 SolarStore. The site was incredibly easy to navigate and I found exactly what I wanted without any trouble. They had different payment options, which was great for me. Now I'm just counting down the days until my panels arrive. Overall, I will definitely be buying from them again.
Steve L
Via Google
May 22, 2023
Store was well organized, staff was super friendly and shipping was speedy.
Karen
Via Google
May 16, 2023
I have been looking for affordable, quality solar panels for a while! After some research I decided to purchase the Trina 390w solar panels. I loved the price and the customer service & decided to buy with a1solarstore. Even though there was a $275 shipping fee. Was worth it to me to receive the quality product in once piece. Payment processing took a while & could have gone faster - however, totally worth the wait!
Kara J
Via Google
May 9, 2023
The customer service at A1 solar is nothing short of amazing. A person can buy their equipment anywhere and receive that equipment with no support following whatsoever. A1 solar was with me all the way through the purchase process, the acquiring my panels at a distribution center, and finally giving me a discount for the pallet breakage charge because the pallet was already broken up. No other Solar company has given me such excellent customer service. Add that the prices are lower if not similar than the rest, buying from A1 solar is a real no brainer. I am very grateful and lucky to have found them!
Robert Sullivan
Via Google
Apr 27, 2023
The Silfab 490W Solar Panel (156 Cell SIL-490-HN) exceeded my expectations with its exceptional power output and sleek design. Its efficient monocrystalline cells make it a reliable and smart investment for any home. Highly recommended!
M
Via Google
Apr 25, 2023

Review us on Google or Trustpilot

Solar laws, incentives and rebates in North Carolina you need to know

Save 30% of your PV system cost with Federal Solar Tax Credit

The US government wants more people to go solar: it’s a modern and green way of getting energy. This is why the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) program was developed. It allows American citizens to claim 30% of the cost of their installation as an income tax deduction. The cost here is not only solar panels, but also shipping, installation expenses and more. For example, if your system overall made you spend $10,000, the government returns you $3,000. To claim the ITC, complete all the necessary forms and submit them when filing your taxes.

Sell excess electricity with Net Metering Program

Solar laws in North Carolina oblige electric utilities to offer Net Metering. It allows residential solar owners to put the excess electricity into the utility grid instead of storing it with batteries. When you sell your solar power to the grid, you receive credits that can be used to offset your next bills. Their value is determined according to avoided cost rates set forth by the North Carolina Utilities Commission. Once a year all unused credits expire.

Save additional $300 to $1,000 a year trading RECs

Renewable Energy Credits are certificates granted to any person or entity upon generation of each MWh of clean electricity. Unlike with Net Metering, you don’t need to sell any electricity to get credits. There is one platform in North Carolina that allows you to store and sell them: NC-RETS. The value of RECs is always changing, which makes them similar to stock market assets. Based on the available data, selling PECs could mean anywhere from $300 to $1,000 annually for a 10 kW solar system. To participate, follow this detailed instruction. Keep in mind that the utilities will own your RECs unless you use a time-of-use demand (TOUD) tariff.

Freeze your property tax with Renewable Energy Source Exemption

A solar PV system installed in a home increases its value by about 4%, says a 2019 Zillow report. You could end up paying higher property taxes in other states, but not in North Carolina. According to the state laws, 100% of the value added as a result of a solar PV system installation should be exempt from property tax as non-business personal property.

Install your solar panels in North Carolina with no worries

It is legal to install solar panels on your house in North Carolina. The state makes unlawful any prohibitions of this kind, including those implemented by homeowners associations (HOAs). However, some restrictions are allowed by the legislation. These include size or aesthetic requirements, but only if they do not prevent homeowners from effectively using a PV system. Prohibiting solar arrays visible from the ground is also possible in North Carolina.

Solar panels help North Carolina survive hurricanes

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, North Carolina is one of the five states where hurricanes hit most often. Overpowering winds damage the infrastructure and wreak havoc, living people without electricity for days and even weeks. PV modules have the strength to withstand most hurricanes, and they will be of great value in case of a blackout. In 2020, hurricane Zeta caused almost half a million blackouts across North Carolina. This is a big number, considering that Zeta is far from being one of the worst disasters in the state’s history. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, extreme weather events will hit more and more often and gain in intensity. This is a good reason to consider going solar.

Stay tuned

Free and usefull digest on solar energy. No spam